All signs are Swallows will take first ever drop

[caption id="attachment_78350" align="alignright" width="199"] STEVE BARKER -[/caption]

IT looks like it is now a three-horse race for survival in the PSL this season, with just a single point separating joint bottom sides Moroka Swallows and Free State Stars and AmaZulu above them.

AmaZulu have played a game more than Swallows, and two more than Stars, but it is they and Ea Lla Koto who should be considered favourites to survive the automatic drop.

Swallows, by contrast, have a trickier finish to the campaign and also the worst goal difference, which makes their first ever relegation look likely.

Three of AmaZulu’s four matches are at home – against Platinum Stars, SuperSport United and Maritzburg United. The fourth is away at coach Steve Barker’s former side University of Pretoria, who are looking vulnerable.

Swallows have five matches remaining, but three of those are away from home. For a team that has lost their last five games on the road, that is a big red flag. They must travel to top-eight chasing SuperSport United tomorrow, Ajax Cape Town, who have the second-best home record after Kaizer Chiefs, and University of Pretoria.

Their two remaining home games are against unpredictable Maritzburg United and in-form Bloemfontein Celtic.

The tragic death of striker Richard Henyekane and subsequent postponement of their league clash with Ajax Cape Town means Free State Stars still have six games to play.

Four are at home, against Ajax, Wits, Chippa United and Mpumalanga Black Aces. They make the short journey as well to Bloemfontein Celtic and must also travel to Polokwane City tomorrow.

It is a favourable run-in and perhaps will see them to the complete safety of 14th position, with AmaZulu and Swallows left to scrap over 15th.

-Nick Said